Archive - Mar 2012 - Article (News Story)

TOKYO (AP) -- Revised estimates of the potential impact an offshore earthquake could have on Japan show that much of the country's Pacific coast could be inundated by a tsunami more than 20 meters (65 feet) high.

According to Japanese media reports Sunday, a government-commissioned panel of experts says a tsunami unleashed by a magnitude-9.0 earthquake in the Nankai trough, which runs east of Japan's main island of Honshu to the southern island of Kyushu, could top 34 meters (112 feet) at its highest.

Federal Probation Officer Fituina F. Tua left island Thursday evening after completing a visit to monitor two federal offenders serving out their probation in the territory and also to maintain the collateral contacts with local government agencies that have assisted the United States Federal Probation Office in Hawai’i for some time now.

Some Atu’u village residents believe the person, or persons, who vandalized the outdoor emergency siren at their village, is an outsider, who should be caught and prosecuted.

“It’s terrible and very, very disturbing that someone would damage such an important government asset - a siren - which helps save lives, not only our residents but others who may pass through our village during a time of disaster,” said one resident, who asked not be named.

The American Samoa National Olympic Committee (ASNOC) is now at this time, displaying ‘Instant Scratch Bingo’ tickets at various stores around the island to be purchased, in an attempt to raise funds for ASNOC athletes traveling to sporting events, such as the upcoming 2012 Olympics, Pacific Games and Pacific Mini Games.

“It never hurts to say good morning even though it isn’t.”

Hawkeye recalls the Movies “Walkin Tall 1,2 & 3. This was sort of a tribute to Sherriff Buford Pusser of Selma County Tennessee. A retired Wrestler, Buford decided to move his family back to the sticks where he grew up. He made the mistake of thinking that he could run for County Sherriff, Win, and make a difference. It did not work out quite right for Sherriff Buford.

TALIGALU AH SIU

A man who broke into a Vaitogi home and assaulted the home owner, was released from jail yesterday. Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond handed down sentencing for twenty year old Taligalu Ah Siu from Vaitogi who initially faced charges of first degree burglary, second degree assault, underage consumption of alcohol and private peace disturbance. However he entered a guilty plea to second degree burglary, while the remaining charges were dismissed.

David Wagner's defense attorney is seeking a lesser sentence for the former acting executive director of the now defunct U’una’i Legal Service Corporation, who is charged for his role in the stealing of about $160,000 in federal grants, awarded to the non-profit group.

Wagner pled guilty in 2010 to one count of theft of federal funds totaling $31,292 and prosecutors recommended, earlier this week, the defendant be sentenced to 10 months in prison and to repay back the money he stole.

With Palm Sunday tomorrow and Holy Week observed next week by the Catholic Church, another urgent request went out this week from Tualauta Reps. Larry Sanitoa and Tapumanaia Galu Satele Jr. to McConnell Dowell for help draining out water and unclogging any drainage on the Hope House road next to Fatuoaiga.

AMERICAN SAMOAN NAMED “TRUMAN SCHOLAR”

Charity Ann  Porotesano, a student at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa was informed this week by the college president of being named a 2012 Truman Scholar, a scholarship program named after the former U.S. President S. Truman and administered by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court left little doubt during last week's marathon arguments over President Barack Obama's health care overhaul that it has scant faith in Congress' ability to get anything done.